Mixed results in Yaak/Troy economic survey
When it comes to the Troy and Yaak
economy it really seems to be a mixed bag.
Some businesses are thriving, while
others barely hang on. Still other folks remain optimistic and
interested in starting up new ventures.
Much like the rest of Lincoln County
the area has been hard hit by a cutback in natural resource jobs.
Still the people that live in the area, often described as loyal
and hard working, keep the area going.
The Yaak Valley Forest Council recently
completed an economic survey of the Troy and Yaak area. The council
was formed in 1997 by local residents concerned with the health and
management of the forest lands.
Pete Leusch, the council’s community
watershed restoration coordinator, conducted the survey. More than
70 individuals and business owners responded to the survey, which
was aimed at looking at the area’s strengths and weaknesses. The
idea is to take the ideas generated and strengthen the economy.
“Part of our mission is to create a
sustainable economy here,” Leusch said.
The council held a meeting in Troy last
week to present its results and continue taking ideas from
residents.
Of the almost 37 businesses surveyed,
65 percent reported that business is down in the last two years.
While 19 percent reported business as up and 15 percent said it had
stayed even.
Even with many businesses seeing a
downturn, owners say they can continue to keep their doors open.
Some 71 percent reported they plan to stay in business, while only
15 percent said they did not expect to stay open and 13 percent
were unsure.
Whether or not folks would open a
business was split at 50 percent yes and 50 percent no.
For those wanting to open a business
there were several ideas that came up, but topping the list were a
bakery, restaurant and welding shop.
Respondents said they would like to see
a number of products and services offered in the area including a
daycare center, a plumbing/electrical store, and a food co-op,
variety store and public transportation.
When it came to taking the leap into
business ownership, respondents mostly felt that one thing was
holding them back.
“A lot of people would like to start a
business, but people don’t think they have the skills,” Leusch
said.
Folks wanted more training, but still
listed Flathead Valley Community College’s Lincoln County Campus in
Libby as a positive in providing training opportunities.
When it comes to weaknesses of the area
for creating a healthy economy the answers were varied. They
included a lack of use of natural resources, the remote location,
people choosing to shop out of town and no community cooperation.
Still of those surveyed, some 35 percent listed the people of the
Troy and Yaak areas as one of its strengths. The people were
described as hard working, friendly, highly skilled, loyal and
resilient.
Folks also believe in the area’s
natural resources and the area’s ability to provide for recreation
and tourism opportunities.
Leusch said the key to stimulating the
economy will be working together and finding ways to diversify.
“There’s no silver bullet,” he said.
“There’s nothing that’s going to be that one solution to our
problems.”
Other results from the survey:
• Fifty percent said they found a job
through word of mouth and 22 percent similarly found employment
through family or friends. Both e-mail/Internet and job service
were listed 11 percent and 5 percent created their own job.
• Businesses that provide health
insurance for employees: Yes was 13 percent. No was 87 percent.
Employees that had health insurance from their employer: Yes was 38
percent. No was 61 percent. All those who checked no said they
could not afford insurance on their own.
• When asked if the Kootenai National
Forest Service was working with the local population to improve the
economy, 30 percent said yes, while 41 percent said no. Sometimes
was checked by 23 percent and 6 percent weren’t sure.
• To improve the Kootenai Forests
relationship with the community, respondents said it could provide
more logging, sell contracts to Montana bidders and provide more
workshops or training on its bidding process.